Percy Jackson: After the giant war (Heroes of Olympus)

Hope

Diclaimer: All rights goes to Rick Riordan.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

 Percy POV

As the three boys walked towards the Hecate cabin, Percy tensed up. How was he going to ask Annabeth? Percy quickly made an excuse and went back to the Poseidon cabin to splash himself with water. He needed to be calm right now, but he wasn't at all. Annabeth would probably be wondering where her Seaweed Brain was. Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Percy said groggily as he lied down on his bed.

"Hey Seaweed Brain..." Annabeth smiled at him as she sat near him.

She was wearing a dark blue dress - just as he had predicted. He made a mental note to himself to tell Jason, and probably laugh in his face. Her blond hair curled just the way he remembered it to be when he was twelve - like a princess. She smiled down at him, and took his hand, trying to pull him up.

Percy sat up and didn't dare to look at Annabeth's eyes. He was scared it'd be the stormy grey that wanted to kill him for not bringing her a corsage, or even trying to back out from asking her. Even Frank stepped up his game, and asked Hazel. It was natural that couples would go together for the dance, but Percy didn't want to go to the dance. The dance just reminded him that he would have to go to Camp Jupiter tomorrow. Percy liked the Romans, but he knew that Annabeth would question his loyalty. 

Annabeth moved his chin towards her so that he was looking at her eyes. Instead of the stormy grey, it was peaceful - with a tinge of humour.

"I'm not mad Seaweed Brain." She hugged him as she told him that.

Percy's vision began to blur, and he knew he was crying in front of his girlfriend.

"I'm sorry," was all Percy could reply to Annabeth.

Percy heard a muffled, "don't be" from Annabeth.

They stayed that way for a few more minutes, just being together - because that was all that mattered. 

Percy was the first one who broke the hug. Even though he didn't want to, he knew he couldn't stay that way. He had to let Annabeth enjoy the dance. 

"We don't have to go to the dance, Seaweed Brain. We were never the ones who would obey." Annabeth smiled at the thought, and Percy found himself smiling too. 

Percy started to remember the time when he and Annabeth had just became a couple - before Hera switched him. They disobeyed the orders often, and Percy pictured the first time Annabeth had snuck into his cabin late at night.

It was around 11PM, and everyone in camp were fast asleep. The nightmares often haunted Percy in his dreams. He had weird dreams about giants and a wolf. It didn't make sense to Percy at all.

On that night, Annabeth had snuck into his cabin. 

"Seaweed Brain, wake up!"

"Wh-what?"

"Let's go to the beach."

"It's 11PM, the harpies would kill us!"

"You're sixteen, saviour of Olympus, they won't."

"Have you seen their deadly looks?" 

"Screw them."

The conversation ended eventually when Percy gave up bickering with Annabeth. It was a time he could spend with his girlfriend - alone - even though he'd be tired the next morning. 

They often went to the beach since then. When they sensed the harpies, they'd sink down to the bottom of the canoe lake. They hadn't been doing that since they came back to camp - of course it had only been three days... Percy had a feeling they wouldn't do that anymore - they'd just be wide awake, or in his cabin, trying to sleep. The nightmares in Tartarus still haunted them, but they managed - together... because when they kicked butt together, everything was always better. 

 ***

"Don't you want to go to the dance?" Percy asked Annabeth.

"I'm okay with anything."

"Come on, today, you're gorgeous - not that you're not everyday, but we have to let the campers see Annabeth Chase in a dress!" Percy pulled Annabeth's hand, forgetting about Camp Jupiter, and the rest of his problems.

Thw two rushed down to the Big House. The party had started about half an hour ago, and the demigods seemed to be having a time of their life. 

Percy was glad for them. Two prophecies were over. He hoped the gods wouldn't be giving them any more trouble.

Percy and Annabeth danced together, and ate some food prepared by the other cabins. They occasionally saw the rest from the seven. Percy could tell everyone was enjoying the party - even the new kids. Be it old or new campers, they were enjoying themselves. Just like he was dancing with Annabeth up in Olympus, he heard a song that reminded him about his life with Annabeth. It was hopeful... and happy - not sad like the last time. He smiled at the memory. Unlike the last time, Annabeth and him kissed a few times in between. 

When the party was coming to an end, Chiron called all the campers to order.

"Dear children, today, we are here to celebrate our victory! Now, Mr D would like to say something."

"I would like to announce to everyone that the god of Olympus, Zeus, has agreed to give fifteen years of peace to everyone in Camp Half-Blood. You have earned it." With that, he left - probably to drink coke.

Now, Percy could enjoy his life - with Annabeth. Hopefully go to college, have a good career, and maybe build something permanent with Annabeth. That was just hope - something safe in Pandora's box, kept by Hestia. 

***

Chapter posted  on: 17 Dec 2012

Next chapter: Annabeth - in Camp Jupiter. Like. Finally.